Syracuse’s Big East title chase comes to screeching halt

It was not a banner night for the Orange as Cincinnati thoroughly outplayed and outshot SU right from the opening tip in a 71-68 final that wasn’t really that close.

A day after so many different players stepped up to contribute at both ends of the court against UConn, only Dion Waiters was truly effective for the Cuse Friday night. Waiters was absolutely sensational, scoring a career-high 28 points, including seven three-pointers. However, he did not get much help as only one other player scored in double figures.

Give Cincinnati credit, they shot the lights out early, making eight of their first ten three-point attempts. As teams so often do, the Bearcats eventually went cold, but had built up such a large lead that they were able to hang on.

Most concerning was another disappearing act by SU’s seniors, Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph. They failed to impact the game offensively until it was really in hand and they combined for nine of the team’s 15 turnovers. Those two have got to lead the way if SU wants to go deep in the NCAA’s.

Also, UC played entirely zone defense which I’m not sure why more teams don’t do this against Syracuse given the outside shooting problems the team has. Yes, the Orange made 13 three-pointers against the Bearcats, but I’d think as a coach, you’d be more than happy to let Syracuse jack up 29 three-pointers versus a steady diet of layups.

I have no doubt SU will still get a number-one seed in the NCAA’s. My main concern is that another Big East team does not end up in their part of the bracket until later in the tournament. I just feel like Big East teams (see Marquette last year) are less intimidated by a fellow conference team and particularly the vaunted zone defense.

While I’m disappointed the team won’t take the Big East title, particularly on their way out of the league in a year or two, it’s not the worst thing in the world and a championship probably would not have affected the NCAA seed a whole lot.

countrygirl – I’m sorry that SU denied your application for undergraduate admission. I hope that you’ve found, as you’ve grown in life and career, that the world needs ditch diggers like yourself as well.

not a story Tommy–bummer for your pathetic perception but who cares what you think–I’m not bitter; I just think (along with the majority of bracketologists) that SU will not make even the Final Four–but good luck with that buddy, and try not to be bitter…

countrygirlie-poo – Bitter, angry and delusional is no way to go through life. Good luck with your therapy sessions and your attempts to get your highly irrational hostility and emotions under control.

Nice way to go through life wishing ill of others (based on your original post)…

somewhere over the rainbow – I didn’t start this. countrygirl came on here unprovoked to denigrate the team wishing them “more bad news”. How am I the antagonist in this situation?

I’m not even a big fan of the team – I just want to know why she had to come on here and wish the team “more bad news”. It sounds very vindictive and hostile. She clearly has some repressed and deep seeded anger that requires professional attention.

Poor Stephan – No one to root for, only to root against. What a way to go through life…always negative and only wishing negative things for others…

For those like “Stephie” and “Somewhere” with reading comprehension issues, I have not and am not arguing against countrygirl’s claim about SU’s success or lack thereof, I was simply pointing out that it’s sad that she’s coming on to a pro-SU blog, totally unprovoked, only to wish negative things to the team. Why would she take the time to do that Robert Lee, who seems to be such a decent guy? Seems like a sad way to go through life, but then again I’m well adjusted and happy.